They kept talking, trying to control the rest of my life. How ridiculous.
Just as I was about to retort, my phone rang.
It was a message from Kaeden: "Genesis, what are you doing?"
Isn't that the nephew of the heir to one of the most powerful families?
Perfect timing. I was filled with anger and quickly typed: "Perfect, I'm absolutely furious and I need to vent!"
Kaeden sent me a cute cat meme to apologize, then followed it up with some money.
"Genesis, I'm sorry."
I: ????
His message made me laugh, and I replied, "Where did I go wrong?"
"I'll explain in person!"
...
Hmph, it's always the same old tricks from older men.
Looking back at the intimate scene between the three of them made me feel nauseous.
I curled my lips and said to my dad, "Okay, you guys prepare. Just wait for Evelin to marry into the Ritter family."
Dream on!
The heir to the Ritter family, Keshawn, you've probably heard the rumors about him. I won't say much, but I can tell you, he listens to me—mostly because I used to kick his ass when we were kids.
I stood up, adjusted my dress, and went upstairs to my room.
I've had enough of all these disgusting people. Time to have Kaeden wash his eyes.
As soon as I lay down on the bed, I sent Kaeden a video call. He picked up almost immediately.
He must have just come from a shareholder meeting, still in his suit and tie, gold-framed glasses perched on his nose. The moment he saw me, his expression shifted from cold and distant to something softer.
Kaeden's eyes lifted slightly at the corners as he drawled, "You look like a princess today. Really beautiful."
I couldn't help but smile, my lips curving upward. I chuckled lightly, "Hmph, don't think you can charm me with flattery. Be honest with me—what did you do wrong?"
He really would admit his faults without hesitation.
Kaeden shrugged, a playful glint in his voice as he teased, "Jealousy is just part of being a man, just like owning up to your mistakes."
I rolled my eyes.
It's not like I had done anything outrageous—just glanced at the junior a little longer in the crowd, and he got so jealous it was almost suffocating.
Kaeden started whining, "Genesis, I miss you. Once I'm done with work, I'll come see you, okay?"
I snorted, "Dream on."
I hung up and blocked him again—no way was I giving this older man a chance.
I clearly remember the first time I met him—his icy demeanor was enough to make even the stray dogs in the neighborhood tuck their tails and run. So how did he end up like this? Always acting so sweet and needy now.
Suddenly, my phone buzzed with a notification.
Kaeden had just sent me money, with a clear note: "Gift."
A smile tugged at the corner of my mouth. Good-looking, rich—those were my first impressions of him.
Every time I think about how I met Kaeden, I find fate to be really mysterious. When I was a child, I escaped from human traffickers and was lucky enough to be taken in by my grandmother, who taught me medicine. Although I was young, I was quick to learn, picking up the craft in just a few lessons.
Kaeden's mother, Mrs. Kaeden, had heart problems and was recuperating in the village. When she was unwell, she would come to my grandmother for acupuncture. Over time, I got to know her, and one day, when my grandmother went to a nearby village to see a patient, I stepped in.
At the time, Kaeden was just sixteen—full of youthful arrogance, thinking I was too young to know acupuncture and just out to scam people.
So, I gave him three needles and told him to lie still for three hours.
And that's when he started to respect me.
That summer, he followed me around, asking to learn medicine from me. So, I took him with me to the mountains to gather herbs, climb trees for wild fruits, and fish in the river, breaking down all his pride in front of me.
But I never expected him to be so relationship-obsessed, and a jealous type at that! He gets possessive over the smallest things!
